Hi ladies, I haven't been on here in awhile and I'm so sad to read all the negative comments. I know how you feel, I felt the same way but once I got down there things could not have been more perfect. Our wedding was amazing and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Like other brides, I looked at Wicky's and the bar was too expensive for us. But I think it's a great option for smaller groups who are jsut looking for a dinner.

To answer some questions:

Someone asked about the bathrooms for beach receptions, there is the pool bathroom but our wedding was on the Pelicanos beach so we just used the bathroom in Pelicanos restaurant.

For outdoor weddings there is a cut-off time due to the noise. When I booked my wedding is was 11 and then a couple months into planning they changed it to 10. I made them honor the 11 cut-off since that's what it was when we booked.

I HIGHLY recommend the gazebo for ceremony and beach for reception. The beach reception was so much fun, esp. with giant light up dance floor and dj. We danced the night away.

We had the "free wedding" package and then did everything ala carte. It worked out better for us since we customized everything and didn't really use anything standard.

Our onsite coordinator Michele was so great. If anyone has her you have nothing to worry about.

We used EW Cancun for lounge furniture, chairs, and centerpieces. I highly recommend them.

That's all I can think of right now, feel free to ask any questions. For a quicker response just PM me, since I don't come on here too often these days.

it's always good to hear positive things about the Royal - after all, we've chosen it for a reason (this will be my third time returning to the resort : ). this forum has shown that nearly every bride has been completely satisfied with their wedding at the Royal and thoroughly impressed with their service. I think that really the only dissention is regarding the restrictions that they impose. I have absolutely no doubt that they are fully capable of hosting an incredible event, I just wasn't willing to compromise on what we wanted to fit their schedule and/or financial requirements. but it certainly doesn't mean they're not capable of pulling off a great wedding - there are hundreds of posts here proving they can!

thanks for your review and info, ChicagoBride, and congratulations!!

Originally Posted by ChicagoBride2011

Hi ladies, I haven't been on here in awhile and I'm so sad to read all the negative comments. I know how you feel, I felt the same way but once I got down there things could not have been more perfect. Our wedding was amazing and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Like other brides, I looked at Wicky's and the bar was too expensive for us. But I think it's a great option for smaller groups who are jsut looking for a dinner.

To answer some questions:

Someone asked about the bathrooms for beach receptions, there is the pool bathroom but our wedding was on the Pelicanos beach so we just used the bathroom in Pelicanos restaurant.

For outdoor weddings there is a cut-off time due to the noise. When I booked my wedding is was 11 and then a couple months into planning they changed it to 10. I made them honor the 11 cut-off since that's what it was when we booked.

I HIGHLY recommend the gazebo for ceremony and beach for reception. The beach reception was so much fun, esp. with giant light up dance floor and dj. We danced the night away.

We had the "free wedding" package and then did everything ala carte. It worked out better for us since we customized everything and didn't really use anything standard.

Our onsite coordinator Michele was so great. If anyone has her you have nothing to worry about.

We used EW Cancun for lounge furniture, chairs, and centerpieces. I highly recommend them.

That's all I can think of right now, feel free to ask any questions. For a quicker response just PM me, since I don't come on here too often these days.

Ive decided to stick to the beach for reception after seeing the lighting, im so excited but I only have my dress so far lol. I need to get started (but dont actually no what I need to do), im on a pretty tight budget so trying not to get carried away. I think im just going to go with the resort flowers and still not to sure on photographer,

I definatly want the light up dance floor too, are you going with the resorts dj or an outside vendor, it seems pretty pricey but all the review look like its worth it! I asked my WC to send me some pics of what the seating will look but there were no chair covers on the pics? Do you take your own or pay extra for them?

random question - has anyone tried the Royal's Couture Cakes (the upgrade ones)? I know the forum votes heavily for the Tres Leches flavor (if allowed) and says you'll never need that much cake, but I'm kind of a cake nut and am really curious about the other options (like Moka, Kahlua, Bailey's).

if you're like me and have your heart set on some absolutely gorgeous (but inordinately expensive and completely impractical) tiered cake, you'll find the Royal's upgraded cake prices a few hundred dollars less than the competition. woo!! I just want to make sure the flavor is like something you'd find in the US. when FI and I were at the Royal, we thought the desserts at Spice seemed to all taste sort of the same and lack sugar. I'm sure it's a cultural difference but was curious if their wedding cakes are similar or different from the Spice desserts.

has anyone scheduled a cake tasting soon? or a site visit? thanks for any insight.

We are going with the resort DJ. The resort uses 2 different DJ companies, one being Doremixx with DJ Ivan. After all of the rave I have heard about DJ Ivan, I knew we had to get him......but, he was already booked. =( We are going with a different DJ from Doremixx.

Does anyone have any reviews for other DJs from Doremixx, besides Ivan. We want someone who is going to get the party started!

I am not sure on the chair covers but definitely a question I have been meaning to ask my WC, Katia. Please let me know what your WC says or post a picture when you get one!

Well Ladies I have to say I am not so impressed with the Royal thus far. I have had alot of issues with them and may be looking for another venue. I have had to put up a stink for simple things like covered chairs outside(as that is what they showed me), and 2 different entree's for dinner just for small examples.

They treat you like a check book and not a wedding which for what we are spending is really unacceptable to us.

I have now had to bring in my TA because I requested the beach in front of the Gazebo for my reception and they are telling us it is no longer available??? Which means they either A) booked another reception on the beach or a party at the same time as ours..not going to work as they noise will travel on the beach or B.) scheduled a wedding at the gazebo at 4pm and don't want setting up to be going on during that wedding. Which honestly is not my problem,,it is there and they should not be putting weddings so close together in the first place.

When I originally signed up for this resort they showed only 3 times to get married a day on the website but in talking to them sometime do up to 6..which is really pretty ridiculous. It is obvious all they care about is profit and not your actual wedding. So we will see what happens with our reception, My TA is not confident that they will frankly care as to how they have re-acted to other things. Personally I would never recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for a personalized experience where they feel they matter,it is more of a wedding mill like Sandals now. It will sadden me if I have to tell all my guests we are moving to another resort, I do love the look and location of this resort but the service is not up to par. However my TA did look into other resorts and found the El Dorado Royale for the same price we are paying. If this reception thing does not get fixed I will be looking into that location, which honestly 3 months out from my wedding is not ideal.

I wish everyone here the best of luck with this resort and don't just let them dictate to you on what you have to do..it is your day!

Man, this thread has gotten to be DEPRESSING! Isn't anyone else having a good experience?!

I have had zero issues with my wedding. I chose a destination wedding so that I could have a totally laid back experience and NOT deal with so much stress. When I have a question (which is rare), I ask my coordinator, and she answers me in a timely fashion. There have been no surprises in what I can or cannot do or what they charge. Everything for me has been smooth sailing, and I cannot WAIT for my wedding!

I totally agree. I almost don't want to come on here anymore. It seemed like things were looking up this past week though.

I also have had very little issues with my wedding. Of course when something comes up my coordinator has got back to me in a timely fashion and I could not be happier or more excited about the wedding. You have to remember they have to make many people happy and I feel they do all they can to make sure that happens.

About El Dorado Royal, it is a beautiful resort and when we went to Mexico last May we visited and stayed at both resorts. I will tell you though why we went with the Royal and maybe it will help you make a decision.

The resort is very big and spread out, not as intimate as the Royal

We had contact with 2 different wedding coordinators before we went down there to meet them and when we got there the last one we had contact with had quit two days before, we felt that was an issue.

The rooms in the El Dorado side are older and do not hold a candle to the Royals. The rooms on the Casitas side are amazing but they are a lot more expensive. They also all include their own pool and larger pool with bar for about 10 rooms.....if we go back we will stay in the Casitas side.

The food was not as good as the Royal.

Don't get me wrong El Dorado Royal is a great place and I would definitely go back there, we just liked our experience at the Royal better.

Hope this helps you.

Originally Posted by queenoftheu

Man, this thread has gotten to be DEPRESSING! Isn't anyone else having a good experience?!

I have had zero issues with my wedding. I chose a destination wedding so that I could have a totally laid back experience and NOT deal with so much stress. When I have a question (which is rare), I ask my coordinator, and she answers me in a timely fashion. There have been no surprises in what I can or cannot do or what they charge. Everything for me has been smooth sailing, and I cannot WAIT for my wedding!